HOYS showing gets off to flying start

There was hot competition in the Andrews Bowen International Arena Showing on the first day of the Horse of the Year Show as showing competitors vied for top slot.

Jenna Tyldesley was crowned TopSpec Show Hunter of the Year with her own Tudor Minstral, winner of the TopSpec Lightweight Show Hunter of the Year.

The combination made their HOYS debut in 2010 in the SEIB Search for a Star series and made their way up the showing ladder, qualifying in the open classes for the first time last year.

All eyes will be back on them on today as they contest the Unify Group Ladies Hunter of the Year. The NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M Ridden Pony of the Year honours went to Andy Atherden’s Highland stallion Stirlingdene, ridden by Frazer Atherde.

"This is a massive plus in his career, having been reserve champion of the Carrs BMW Ridden Mountain & Moorland Pony of the Year in 2008," said Frazer. "Stirlingdene will now go to be stood at stud and also compete in-hand."

Reserve champion was The Reed family’s Nebo Julie Ann, ridden by Lowri Reed, who had taken the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Welsh section D title over last year’s overall champion Sydenham King George, ridden and owned by Laura Rowe.

The Miniature Horse of the Year title was won by Wendy Edgar’s Spotlights Finale. The two-year-old spotted colt, also who took the Miniature Youngstock of the Year title.